Hesitation to become a nurse student

[mushroomTinybear]

Hey guys,

I have been always dreaming of becoming a nurse and finally I got into a nursing school!

But before that happened I got underlying health condition (arthritis) and I cannot even get plaquenil now because of statewide shortage and I understand it is more important for other people . That changes everything for me if I get COVID-19. I am not saying I can get infected now but this disease generally has given me some thoughts to think about my future: do I really need to be a nurse? Can I do something else? What will my child do if I die some day because I get infected with something being a nurse? Will my child go a foster care (I am a single parent with no relatives nearby). Am I am overthinking it? Should I just drop everything and get ready for another career, let us say being a teacher? anything else but the nurse? I put everything into this, everything to get it. I put my job on hold, I am broke and I got in! I got in and the worst thing that could ever happen is that I am confused and hesitant now. Am I a coward or just more careful than ever?

I am scared, terrified, alone and do not know what to do. I see some nurses quit jobs to protect their families, some nurses even get laid off even at this time even though everyone needs nurses now. I am confused.

Any of your advice would be much appreciated.

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

That completely depends on you and you alone. Personally, if I were just entering nursing school I would still complete it. Covid is only one risk of being a nurse, we have a huge risk of abuse, assault, TB exposure among other things. There are places to work that reduce your exposure after you get some experience however.

Being a parent, I advocate for getting the will done. Have it known who your child is to go to in the event of your death.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Take a deep breath. Whether or not you decide to pursue nursing school is a personal decision only you can make. That being said don't let this virus be the only factor in your decision. Think about this, at least in health care you know there is risk of exposure to various contagious conditions and can take appropriate infection control measures to minimize that risk.

The same can't be said for other professions where you have contact with a lot of people that may or may not be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and contagious. There's risk for exposure everywhere you go. Hence the social distancing and closure of many businesses we are all dealing with now.

[kcinnick]

I don't think you will be any safer from getting a virus in a teaching setting than a nursing setting. You could always go for the school nurse gig. They are always posting for openings in my area.

[mushroomTinybear]

18 hours ago, kbrn2002 said:

Take a deep breath. Whether or not you decide to pursue nursing school is a personal decision only you can make. That being said don't let this virus be the only factor in your decision. Think about this, at least in health care you know there is risk of exposure to various contagious conditions and can take appropriate infection control measures to minimize that risk.

The same can't be said for other professions where you have contact with a lot of people that may or may not be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and contagious. There's risk for exposure everywhere you go. Hence the social distancing and closure of many businesses we are all dealing with now.

Thanks, I have been thinking about it. My other thoughts currently also a schedule in the school, where I got in. It is a state school and not expensive. The private schools also have extremely family oriented schedules which allow single parents like me to manage family life and education. I really feel broken into pieces now with everything and cannot decide what I want in life and this is after I put so much effort.

[A Hit With The Ladies, BSN, RN]

I did my nursing degree because my B.A. in history was completely useless when I graduated in the tail end of the Great Recession. You ought to complete your program.

[mushroomTinybear]

Thank you, guys for your comments. I am currently looking at the schedule in the community college and the schedule is like I have to leave my kid somewhere at 5 am and before that I have to wake him at at 430 am at least. and them I will come back home around 8pm. I have no idea where and with whom I would leave him. I also looked at the schedule in a private nursing school, it is completely awesome.